S t o w e  G a r d e n s

D i d o ' s  C a v e

&

M e n a g e r i e

Following the gravel path North from the Rotondo, the surroundings again, become darker and more wooded. The visitor comes across a decorated alcove known as Dido's Cave. It is a squat, square building consisting of just a single room, roughly, but beautifully decorated with Tufa. Only recently restored by the National Trust, Dido's cave is basically a small grotto, thought to have been built by James Gibbs or possibly, even Vanbrugh around 1728. The interior contained murals to Queen Dido, the first Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas from Virgil's Aenid.

The maiden and the cave

Dido's cave is also noted in history as a "retreat" found by a young maiden, who was observed, swinging on a swing by the then Vicar of Stowe, and was then relentlessly chased through the gardens. The Vicar, a Rev: Conway Rand, who was "so taken aback by the mysterious charms of the young woman", abandoned the game of bowls he was playing, and went after her, the woman shrieking as she ran, holding her puff-ball dress up, through the thickets. She attempted to hide from her pursuer in Dido's cave, but the privacy and the seclusion of the grotto proved more to the advantage of the Vicar than to her.. Conway Rand was vicar of Stowe from 1710 - 1734 so the incident with the maiden and the grotto may have taken place around 1731.

Above: The interior walls of the grotto are lined with colourful Tufa.

Below: The grotto's rusticated façade as viewed from the North path. There is a faded inscription, thought to be a tribute to Gibbs or to Vanbrugh on a plaque above the arched doorway.

Below: Looking South from the path and to the Rotondo in the distance.

T h e   M e n a g e r i e

The path continues North into the woods to a clearing, where the Menagerie, built in the former flower garden still stands. It was built by Valdre in 1780 for the Marquess of Buckingham. its semi-circular design, with its copper domed central block, beautifully covered with a layer of verdi gras, and its 2 flanking pavilions, reflects the design of the Temple of Venus by William Kent. Today, the flower garden has gone. It is sadly now a tennis court and the building itself used as the School shop. This lovely building was once surrounded by many herms and fountains.

 

 

 

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